No such thing as "routine"

By Felisa Cardona, Staff WriterThe Denver Post

There's no guarantee of a "routine'' traffic stop. Despite their training and procedures, cops throughout the state realize that their lives — and the lives of others — are on the line every time they pull a vehicle over.

Police officers across the state say the most dangerous moments come during the most routine job they do: the traffic stop.

Some officers have encountered suicides and violent outbursts, while others have been run over by motorists who suddenly try to flee.

"You don't know the person, you don't know why they are speeding at 100 mph, so when you walk up there, you are hoping that things go right," said Master Trooper Ron Watkins of the Colorado State Patrol. "With all the training we get, there is no guarantee that you can defend against it."